Indian Carriers: Are They Good Enough?

The emphasis on aircraft carriers can only be one part of the Indian Navy’s modernisation efforts. It requires a large and modern submarine fleet that can engage in successful sea denial to China and Pakistan, launch attacks on Pakistani land-based assets using cruise missiles, and be the essential part of a secondstrike capability for India’s nuclear force, argues AMIT GUPTA

- Amit Gupta

India is one of the few nations in the world that has a carrier building programme and it is part of an ambitious plan to make the Indian Navy into a blue water force that can project power both into the Indian Ocean and, increasingly, the Western Pacific. The Indian Navy is largely basing this power projection on the development of a new generation of aircraft carriers. Aircraft carriers, however, are the weapon of the Second World War and the Cold War and the type of carriers that India wishes to build will only partially fulfill its maritime ambitions. What is required is a comprehensive plan that addresses three requirements for India—coastal defence, a naval deterrent, and a sensible approach to power projection.

India’s current maritime goals have been shaped by the continuing rivalry with Pakistan, the impact of globalization which has integrated India into the global trading system, and the potential for a maritime rivalry with China. In each of these cases the argument has been made that aircraft carriers have a critical role to play in furthering India’s security and interests. But before one discusses the threat scenarios it is worth looking at the history of India’s carrier fleet, the role it has played in Indian military doctrine, and the state of the carrier building programme.

The Indian Navy and carriers